Demolition of Ayefele’s N800m Music House, an economic waste –Group

Wheelchair-bound Ayefele watches as his Music House is demolished by the Oyo State Government on Sunday morning. Photos: Olufemi Atoyebi

The Housing Development Advocacy Network, an NGO, has condemned in strong terms the Sunday dawn demolition of the Music House belonging to popular musician, Yinka Ayefele.

The structure, valued at N800m, housed Ayefele’s Fresh FM radio station and other businesses.

The HDAN described the demolition as “an economic waste.”

Briefing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, the President of the group, Mr. Festus Adebayo, added that the demolition was a disregard for rule of law.

The Oyo State Government, on August 19, demolished the Music House, which housed Fresh FM, a radio station and music studios that belong to the artiste, despite a court injunction restraining government from executing the demolition.

“How can we grow our institutions if we do not respect the rule of law? We need strong institutions led by contented patriots working collaboratively with other institutions to move things forward.

“What has happened in Ibadan is not about Ayefele, but it is about right or wrong, it is also about laws and processes.

“When such act occurred and there are no protest and repercussion on the governor, it emboldens, potentates at all level of the government. This induces fears and uncertainty in the socio-economic development process,” the group said.

Adebayo argued that no reasonable investor will invest in an environment where the government cannot obey the rule of law.

He added that it was unfortunate that those who cannot build houses for their citizens were demolishing the houses built by the citizens.

“The Oyo Government’s action in Ibadan reminded us of how former FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, demolished 500 houses in FCT in Abuja (Minanuel Estate) located along the Airport road Abuja.

“Nigeria cannot continue with this kind of economic waste in the country where the housing deficit is above 18 million and where the unemployment is increasing on a daily basis,” Adebayo said.

He asked: “Has Yinka Ayefele violated the building code? Did he just violate the building code? If yes, is it a newly enacted building code or pre-existing building code of Oyo State?

“Why did the government not obey the court order refraining it from demolishing the building?

“In a normal society, the government cannot arbitrarily contravene court order and that is where our fear lies.”

Adebayo called on the government of Oyo State to learn how to obey the rule of law if it wants to attract investment to the state.